Players keen to meet Mamata

A STAFF REPORTER

Calcutta: The India women’s cricket team is keen to meet chief minister Mamata Banerjee before its departure for Bangladesh, but has failed to confirm an appointment.

The squad departs on Friday for a three-match T20 International series against Bangladesh, followed by the World T20. “She is a dynamic lady… We respect her and need her blessings before we leave for the World T20. The players are keen to meet her.

“I wish a bit of her boldness is rubbed off on the players, which will certainly be of great help,” team manager Vidya Yadav said at the Eden on Tuesday.

Yadav had sought an appointment with the chief minister, but there has been no response from Mamata’s office. Unofficially, they have been told that Mamata is busy with matters related to election campaign.

Yadav has requested CAB treasurer Biswarup Dey to look into the matter. The players will meet mayor of Calcutta Municipal Corporation, Sovan Chatterjee, on Thursday. The CAB will also felicitate the team on the same day.

Meanwhile, captain Mithali Raj missed Tuesday’s practice session because of illness. She is running temperature but is expected to fit before the team’s departure.

Vellaswamy Vanitha’s replacement hasn’t been decided upon yet as the selectors are expected to have a teleconference on Wednesday. Vanitha had sustained an ankle injury during Sunday’s practice.

The 23-year-old sustained a ligament tear in her right ankle which will take at least three to four weeks to heal. The scan report has been sent to the BCCI .

The players had another practice match under lights, at the Eden, on Tuesday. Madhuri Mehta scored 37 in the game that also involved some women cricketers from the state team. Shikha Pandey made 23.